Current readings: sublobar resection for non-small-cell lung cancer

Three-dimensional (3D) bronchial tree model for bronchial resection with pulmonary segmentectomy

There has been an increase in pulmonary segmentectomy procedures because of increased numbers of individuals with small lung cancer. However, it is difficult to identify the correct bronchus during surgery even with pre-operative three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography. We investigated using a 3D-printed model of the bronchi to prepare for bronchus resection during pulmonary segmentectomy. The model was useful to determine pre-operatively which bronchus should be transected, and being composed of a soft material it could be mobilized similarly to the actual bronchus during surgery. This simulation can increase surgeons' confidence to identify the correct bronchus during pulmonary segmentectomy.

Sublobar resection for early-stage lung cancer

Since the 1995 report of the prospective randomized trial of lobectomy versus sublobar resection for stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) performed by the the Lung Cancer Study Group, lobectomy remains the standard of care for the surgical management of stage I NSCLC. Sublobar resection has been typically used for high-risk patients who are operative candidates but for whom a lobectomy is contraindicated. Recent advances in imaging and staging modalities and improved spatial resolution of computed tomography (CT) scan have refined the presentation and diagnosis of early-stage NSCLC. The detection of small tumors and ground-glass opacity (GGO) appearance associated with a favorable histology have led to the increased use of sublobar resection in many institutes to include good-risk patients. There is an increasing body of evidence that sublobar resection may achieve oncological outcomes similar to those with lobectomy in early-stage NSCLC, especially that 2 cm or less in size. However, whether or not sublobar resection constitutes adequate treatment for small-sized lung cancer or for the radiographic "early" lung cancer such as a GGO-dominant lesion is still being prospectively investigated. Sublobar resection will be expected to play an important role as a primary treatment option for patients with small stage IA NSCLC, based on an anatomical functional advantage over lobectomy as well as comparable prognostic outcomes between sublobar resection and lobectomy.